Why Premier League managers ruthlessly shot down in-stadium VAR announcements for the 2024-25 season

Howard Webb, the refereeing chief at Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL), held a meeting with head coaches from the Premier League in July to discuss protocol for the new season. A proposal to have VAR decisions announced to crowds inside stadiums was mentioned by Webb, but the idea was dropped due to the managers' reactions, The Telegraphreports.

The reason, the report says, is that managers felt VAR decisions would take even longer than they already do. The officials were also not impressed by the idea. Adopting the plan would have seen the English top-flight follow the example set by MLS and the Women's World Cup.

VAR has proved to be a divisive element in the Premier League, with reviews often considered too time consuming, while controversial decisions have sparked outrage among clubs and fans. However, according to the report, the Premier League has instructed managers and club officials to exert caution when it comes to criticising the system in the 2024-25 campaign.

Although the in-stadium announcement measure was dropped, there have been changes to VAR ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off with a game between Manchester United and Fulham on Friday. Replays of key incidents will be shown on stadium screens inside stadiums, for one, while new semi-automatic offside decisions will hopefully lead to faster calls being made.